Chronological or skills-based: which CV is best for you?

If you're unsure how to order your CV, this short TARGETjobs article lays out the three options.

• Chronological: education and work in reverse order. Most student and graduate CVs use this, and recruiters know where to look.
• Skills-based: leads with what you can offer now, then gives a short work history. Better for experienced candidates, career changers and mature students than for recent graduates.
• Combination: a mix of both. Keep the story coherent, don't repeat yourself, and tailor the skills section each time.

It also warns that unusual, highly designed CVs only suit employers who welcome creativity, such as agencies, not conservative fields like accountancy.

Good for: a quick decision before you start writing.